Hi everyone,
I just joined and wanted to introduce
myself.My name is Kris and I'm a mid 40's pre-op transwoman from Houston, Texas. I've known I was different from age 4 and spent most of my childhood trying to figure out what was going on within me and how bet to conceal my secret from the world. My teen years were filled with self-hate and guilt. I dressed in secret and was caught several times so I just learned to conceal my activities better. I was married at 21 and came out to my new wife who supported me 100%. I had no idea what transgender was so like many of you, I identified as a crossdresser. That wasn't correct as I later learned in counseling.
My marriage failed after 3 years. Nothing based on my gender issue. I spent the next 3 years doing the single guy thing, dressing in secret again, but reaching out to support groups to figure out how best to deal with my situation. I spent less time en femme and more time doing the guy thing. Clubs and bars fueled by lots of drinking and pursuing the pretty ladies soon defined me. I was blessed to meet a beautiful woman who embraced both my male and female identities. After a year of dating we married and spent 13yrs. together before her death at the hands of a drunk driver in 2012. Since her passing I have had to figure life out again, now being single after so many years happily married to a wonderful supportive wife. I had no desire to dress and left the TG community to attempt a new start in an all male life, in hopes of just being a normal guy. I dated a few women but none that would ever accept my femme side. Lost in my own confusion, I decided once again to start over.
I moved back to Houston and started my new life in Feb 2016. Having freedom to think clearly and with all my identity issues flooding back to the surface, I was in a doctors office starting HRT March 2, 2016. I had several years of counseling throughout the 90's and 2000's. Having been out en femme for over 20 yrs I finally embraced my true self and promised myself there would be no more looking back.
So here I am! Now just a few days shy of 24 months of HRT and 14 months living full time. I started living free on 12-25-16...a day I now refer to as, "Krismas"! I have no regrets. I now truly have self-worth and inner peace with my decision and live excited for the next chapter in my life. That chapter has brought me to this group.
I don't associate with the Trans community anymore. I cut ties with those I used to know because most were CD's and just wanted to live in the bar scene. I've spent too much time already in a bar and now focusing on my transition. They, on the other hand, weren't looking to transition so I found myself with a social circle I just couldn't connect with. I have moved on despite not really having much of a social life anymore.
With all that said, I'm looking to connect with some new local friends also in transition. My name has been changed and my drivers license corrected to female. All my documents have been updated to reflect my current gender status. No surgeries to date but that is a large part of why I joined this group. I need some qualified direction.
I will be financially ready for SRS by June of this year. I know there is a waiting period so I am looking for information to prepare. I have questions regarding surgeons, Thailand vs. US/Canada, cost, etc. I would like to hear from post-op ladies about their experience and why they chose their surgeon. Cost will not be my deciding factor but will be part of my considerations. I have tried to research all this on my own but just get overwhelmed with all the info out there. Website testimonials are ok but I'd prefer to hear from individuals who can elaborate and address certain questions not touched on on-line.
That's a lot for an introduction but I try to share enough to convey who I am and my thoughts. I would appreciate anyone post-op contacting me for the few but important questions I have. This is a really important event and I would appreciate any insight to insure I make the best decision for me.
Huggz